Patents by Inventor James T. Nickles

James T. Nickles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10487622
    Abstract: A lock ring fits into a housing recess defined by a sliding member such as a sleeve. The lock ring is loosely fitted in the recess when the sleeve is in an initial position. The lock ring is preferably smooth on an outer dimension and has a beveled end. The beveled end engages an internal taper in the housing if a force is placed on the sliding sleeve to return it toward the original position. Preferably the shifting of the sleeve to a ports open position places the ratchet on the sleeve in alignment with the lock ring to hold the sliding sleeve locked in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Nickles, James S. Sanchez, Wara C. Bocangel
  • Patent number: 10378311
    Abstract: Ported sub openings are controlled by a sliding sleeve assembly. In one variation an external sleeve is pressure actuated with internal pressure to open the ports. After the treatment the ports are closed with a ball landed on an internal sleeve seat and pressure applied from above. In a different arrangement a single internal sleeve is provided that is responsive to tubing pressure to open after breaking a retaining member. After the downhole procedure a ball is landed on a seat on the sleeve and pressure is applied to close the ports with the shifted sleeve and ball moving in tandem. Multiple sliding sleeves can be sequentially operated with sliding sleeves held by retainers that break at sequentially higher pressure moving in an uphole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wara Bocangel Calderon, Robert S. O'Brien, James S. Sanchez, James T. Nickles
  • Publication number: 20190024479
    Abstract: Ported sub openings are controlled by a sliding sleeve assembly. In one variation an external sleeve is pressure actuated with internal pressure to open the ports. After the treatment the ports are closed with a ball landed on an internal sleeve seat and pressure applied from above. In a different arrangement a single internal sleeve is provided that is responsive to tubing pressure to open after breaking a retaining member. After the downhole procedure a ball is landed on a seat on the sleeve and pressure is applied to close the ports with the shifted sleeve and ball moving in tandem. Multiple sliding sleeves can be sequentially operated with sliding sleeves held by retainers that break at sequentially higher pressure moving in an uphole direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Wara Bocangel Calderon, Robert S. O'Brien, James S. Sanchez, James T. Nickles
  • Publication number: 20180313190
    Abstract: A lock ring fits into a housing recess defined by a sliding member such as a sleeve. The lock ring is loosely fitted in the recess when the sleeve is in an initial position. The lock ring is preferably smooth on an outer dimension and has a beveled end. The beveled end engages an internal taper in the housing if a force is placed on the sliding sleeve to return it toward the original position. Preferably the shifting of the sleeve to a ports open position places the ratchet on the sleeve in alignment with the lock ring to hold the sliding sleeve locked in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James T. Nickles, James S. Sanchez, Wara C. Bocangel
  • Patent number: 9452338
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting head movement during a golf swing includes wirelessly coupled sensor devices at the golfer's head and hand, each including an accelerometer, processor, and communication module. The hand sensor device measures forces at the hand, and the head sensor device measures movement at the head. During a swing, the accelerometer in the hand sensor device measures forces in three directions and generates swing data. The processor in the hand sensor device detects an impact time in the swing data, and that impact time is transmitted to the head sensor device. The accelerometer in the head sensor device continuously measures forces in three directions and generates head data. The processor in the head sensor device processes the head data around the impact time to detect head movement. The processor in the head sensor device then issues an alert if the head movement exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: James T. Nickles, Jr., James T. Nickles, Sr., Frank D. Roberts, II
  • Patent number: 4581500
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a rotor switch. The rotor switch consists of a rotor device positioned between a pair of printed circuit boards. One printed circuit board having conductive pads, coupled to the output of the switch, and the other board having a conductive strip, coupled to the input of the switch. A conductive spring, or similar conductor, is disposed through the rotor to couple one of the conductive pads to the conductive strip. A housing having a retainer that fits into exterior notches located in the printed circuit boards and the rotor acts to secure the rotor in place when rotational forces are exerted on the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence M. Henderson, James T. Nickles, Robert L. Wannemacher, Jr.